Live Q&As + Transparency | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/series/live-q-a+transparency
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:45:41 GMT2015-03-03T19:45:41Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
How big data is transforming public services – expert viewshttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/apr/17/big-data-government-public-services-expert-views
We asked our experts how government can handle big data better and mitigate the risks of privacy breaches<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/mar/31/government-big-data-public-services-livechat" title="">• Read the debate in full</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/signup/2014/apr/17/big-data-register-your-interest">• Big data video – register your interest</a><p><strong>It's a bit of a misnomer:</strong> &quot;Ex-Guardian writer Simon Rogers once said, 'Big data is data that is one bit too much for you to be comfortable', and this is probably the best definition I've read.<br />&quot;The volume of data is not irrelevant, but not as important as it sounds. More important is the ability to link diverse datasets with each other.&quot;<br /><em>– Giuseppe Sollazzo, senior systems analyst at St George's, University of London, and member of the </em><a href="http://data.gov.uk/odug" title=""><em>open data user group</em></a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/apr/17/big-data-government-public-services-expert-views">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTechnologyBig dataTransparencyTechnologyTechnologyThu, 17 Apr 2014 12:05:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/apr/17/big-data-government-public-services-expert-viewsScience & Society Picture Librar/SSPL via Getty ImagesBig data classically refers to large volumes of data that are not easy to store, but it's also the ability to link diverse datasets with each other. Photograph: Science & Society Picture Librar/SSPL via Getty ImagesScience & Society Picture Librar/SSPL via Getty ImagesBig data classically refers to large volumes of data that are not easy to store, but it's also the ability to link diverse datasets with each other. Photograph: Science & Society Picture Librar/SSPL via Getty ImagesTamsin Rutter2014-04-17T12:05:14ZWhat government can do with big data – livechathttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/mar/31/government-big-data-public-services-livechat
Join us online on <strong>Tuesday 15 April</strong> to talk about the potential of big data to transform public services and kickstart innovation<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/apr/15/big-data-open-data-transform-government">• Big data and open data: what's what and why does it matter?</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/apr/17/big-data-government-public-services-expert-views">• Read the roundup</a><p>With the announcement of the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/19/budget-2014-alan-turing-institute" title="">Alan Turing Institute for big data research</a> in the 2014 budget, and the release of a new <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/73-million-to-improve-access-to-data-and-drive-innovation" title="">&pound;73m fund</a> for research in a range of topics from transport to obesity, the government has shown it is serious about unlocking big data.</p><p>To make the best use of big data now and in the future, government must have the right infrastructure in place. Last year's <a href="http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/media-centre/in-the-news/category/item/government-could-save-33bn-a-year-using-big-data-says-think-tank" title="">report from the Policy Exchange</a> thinktank said that government could save up to &pound;33bn a year through better use of data. It advocates a &quot;data force&quot;, based on the successful nudge unit, to access data from different departments and identify where savings could be made.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/mar/31/government-big-data-public-services-livechat">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTechnologyTransparencyCivil societyBig dataTechnologyMon, 31 Mar 2014 09:45:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/mar/31/government-big-data-public-services-livechatRoger Ressmeyer/CORBISOn Tuesday 15 April from 12 noon to 2pm our experts will talk about how to unlock the potential of big data for government. Photograph: Roger Ressmeyer/CORBISRoger Ressmeyer/CORBISOn Tuesday 15 April from 12 noon to 2pm our experts will talk about how to unlock the potential of big data for government. Photograph: Roger Ressmeyer/CORBISTamsin Rutter2014-03-31T09:45:00ZLessons in transparency for the UK government - rounduphttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/25/lessons-transparency-uk-government-roundup
Our experts talked about the successes of the OGP summit and why open government means more than just open data<br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/13/lessons-transparency-uk-government-livechat" title="">Read the full discussion here</a><p><strong>Examples of OGP commitments: </strong>In the UK context the flagship was the public register of company ownership announced by David Cameron. President Kikwete of Tanzania committed to a world-class access to information law, Indonesia committed to a youth engagement programme.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/25/lessons-transparency-uk-government-roundup">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyDataCivil societySurveillanceMon, 25 Nov 2013 15:49:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/25/lessons-transparency-uk-government-roundupScott Barbour/Getty ImagesSecurity records held at the National Archives. Our experts agreed that open data should not replace the legal right to information. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty ImagesScott Barbour/Getty ImagesSecurity records held at the National Archives. Our experts agreed that open data should not replace the legal right to information. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty ImagesTamsin Rutter2013-11-25T15:49:05ZLessons in transparency for the UK government – livechathttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/13/lessons-transparency-uk-government-livechat
Join our livechat on <strong>Friday 22 November</strong> from <strong>12 noon - 2pm </strong>to discuss how to keep momentum after the OGP summit<p>The prime minister David Cameron, the cabinet minister Francis Maude, delegates from foreign governments and civil society organisations all over the world came out in force in London this Autumn to stamp out a collective commitment to greater state transparency.</p><p>At the <a href="http://www.opengovpartnership.org/" title="">Open Government Partnership</a> summit 2013 many of the organisation's 61 member states made fresh <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/media-network-blog/2013/nov/04/ogp-country-commitments-open-government" title="">pledges of openness</a>, not least the UK with a promise to create an obligatory <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/31/public-register-firms-secret-owners-cameron" title="">publicly-accessible register</a> setting out the true owners of companies.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/13/lessons-transparency-uk-government-livechat">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyPartnershipWed, 13 Nov 2013 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/nov/13/lessons-transparency-uk-government-livechatDavid Furst/AFP/Getty ImagesUS secretary of state John Kerry was asked at the OGP summit why more surveillance and restrictive laws being passed by all governments than ever before. Photograph: David Furst/AFP/Getty ImagesDavid Furst/AFP/Getty ImagesUS secretary of state John Kerry was asked at the OGP summit why more surveillance and restrictive laws being passed by all governments than ever before. Photograph: David Furst/AFP/Getty ImagesTamsin Rutter2013-11-13T12:00:00ZLivechat: is Stephan Shakespeare's open data agenda shrewd but stuck?http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/may/20/livechat-stephan-shakespeare-open-data-agenda
Join our live discussion on <strong>Friday 24 May </strong>from <strong>12-2pm</strong> to discuss how to put the open data agenda into practice<p>Praise is coming in thick and fast for the chair of the data strategy board's seminal manifesto.</p><p>Now to the hard bit. Stephan Shakespeare key recommendation, to define a national core reference data set that will turn <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2013/may/15/stephan-shakespeare-publicsector-open-data" title="">'puppy-like enthusiasm'</a> into bankable economic growth, is workable, says David Walker, Public Leaders contributing editor, but <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2013/may/17/open-data-stephan-shakespeare-pasc" title="">there will have to be some reconciliation</a> of the UK Statistics Authority, Public Administration Select Committee and Cabinet Office approaches to open data first, in order to put it into practice.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/may/20/livechat-stephan-shakespeare-open-data-agenda">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyCentral governmentPolicy makingMon, 20 May 2013 15:14:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/may/20/livechat-stephan-shakespeare-open-data-agendaYouGov.co.uk"Stephan Shakespeare sort of realises is that what is lacking is a central authority to push it all through." Photograph: YouGov.co.ukYouGov.co.uk"Stephan Shakespeare sort of realises is that what is lacking is a central authority to push it all through." Photograph: YouGov.co.ukKathryn Dobinson2013-05-20T15:14:13ZRoundup: how to use big data to tackle public sector fraudhttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/feb/04/roundup-big-data-fraud-error
Our latest live discussion explored how to overcome the technical and cultural obstacles for tackling fraud<p><strong>Big Data is a revolution but not everyone has spotted it:</strong> many businesses think they do it already, but they don't because their software and skills are not up to date. Some IT directors miscalculate the potential storage and mip cost and forget that grid and in-memory, cloud and hadoop are all much cheaper. Lastly, it's sometimes a complex business case: how much money will I save or make if I adopt this hardware or software to find things I can't yet prove exist? Here at SAS we understand that, and put a lot of effort into helping organisations build profitable business cases.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/feb/04/roundup-big-data-fraud-error">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyMon, 04 Feb 2013 16:31:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/feb/04/roundup-big-data-fraud-errorCarlos Barria/REUTERSBuilding data specialists and generalists in government will combat fraud and error. Photograph: Carlos Barria/REUTERSCarlos Barria/REUTERSBuilding data specialists and generalists in government will combat fraud and error. Photograph: Carlos Barria/REUTERSKathryn Dobinson2013-02-04T16:31:33ZLive chat: how to probe big data to tackle fraud and errorhttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/jan/28/live-chat-big-data-fraud
Join us on <strong>Friday 01 February</strong> from <strong>12-2pm</strong> to discuss the technical and cultural obstacles to tackling fraud and error<p><a href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/nfa/" title="">The public sector lost &pound;20bn through fraud in 2011-13,</a> according to the latest figures from the National Fraud Authority.</p><p><a href="http://www.cebr.com/data-equity-unlocking-the-value-of-big-data/" title="">High-performance analytics,</a> that is predictive analytics, data mining and advanced data visualisation that probe datasets whose size is beyond the ability of typical software tools to capture, store, manage and analyse, are the best way to improve the scope and accuracy of fraud prevention, recommends the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/jan/28/live-chat-big-data-fraud">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyMon, 28 Jan 2013 10:27:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/jan/28/live-chat-big-data-fraudCarlos Barria/REUTERSBuilding data specialists and generalists in government will combat fraud and error. Photograph: Carlos Barria/REUTERSCarlos Barria/REUTERSBuilding data specialists and generalists in government will combat fraud and error. Photograph: Carlos Barria/REUTERSPublic Leaders Network2013-01-28T10:27:02ZRoundup: Sir Jeremy Heywood and open datahttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/dec/05/sir-jeremy-heywood-open-data
Our latest online Q&amp;A discussed open data with the cabinet secretary and our expert panel<p><strong>How is open data going to affect me directly? </strong>It will lead to the development of a whole range of new products and services for citizens that will improve their lives and give them more control over public services; it will hopefully encourage a new wave of start-ups in this country, creating these new products and services; it will strengthen the quality and efficiency of government by improving accountability; and it can also help improve transparency and governance in other countries - something which ministers are pushing for through our co-chairmanship of the Open Government Partnership.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/dec/05/sir-jeremy-heywood-open-data">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyTechnologyCentral governmentPolicy makingSir Jeremy HeywoodTechnologyWed, 05 Dec 2012 11:03:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/dec/05/sir-jeremy-heywood-open-dataGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonCabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood (left) joined our live discussion. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonCabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood (left) joined our live discussion. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonKathryn Dobinson2012-12-05T11:03:00ZLive discussion: Sir Jeremy Heywood and open datahttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/dec/03/live-discussion-jeremy-heywood-open-data
Join us on<strong> Tuesday 04 December from 12-1pm </strong>to ask the cabinet secretary and our expert panel about open data<p>At the <a href="http://thenextweb.com/video/2012/05/02/data-science-is-just-a-buzzword-says-bitly-data-scientist-hilary-mason-video/?fromcat=all" title="">Next Web conference</a> in Amsterdam, Hilary Mason, chief scientist at <a href="http://bitly.com/" title="">Bitly,</a> the URL redirection service, said open data was just a buzzword.</p><p>The launch of the Open Data Institute (ODI) on Tuesday 4 December is the antithesis to that view. Founded by the creator of the world-wide-web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Professor Nigel Shadbolt, professor of computer science at the University of Southampton, the institute aims to unlock enterprise and social value from the vast amount of open government data made available by the public services reform agenda.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/dec/03/live-discussion-jeremy-heywood-open-data">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyTechnologyCentral governmentPolicy makingSir Jeremy HeywoodTechnologyMon, 03 Dec 2012 13:05:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/dec/03/live-discussion-jeremy-heywood-open-dataGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonCabinet secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood will be answering questions from 12pm. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonCabinet secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood will be answering questions from 12pm. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonKathryn Dobinson2012-12-03T13:05:20ZRoundup: how to consult with citizenshttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/nov/19/roundup-how-to-consult-citizens
Our latest<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2012/nov/09/how-to-consult-citizens" title=""> online debate</a> discussed the best ways to run an online consultation<p><strong>Let the police and crime commissioner elections be a lesson:</strong> consultations are not going to fix the problem. We need more 'upstream' engagement between citizens and state. <a href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/consultation-principles-guidance" title="">The Cabinet Office consultation principles</a> rightly recommends that we give more thought to achieving 'real engagement'. But what does this look like in practice? There are over 30 approaches to engaging the public, ranging from traditional town meetings to citizen juries. Some are less well-known, like Samoan circles, Delphi surveys and mystery shopping. The real question is how do we get what IPPR calls a relational state, where government acts with the public to achieve common goals, sharing knowledge, resources and power.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/nov/19/roundup-how-to-consult-citizens">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTechnologyCentral governmentGovernment communicationsTransparencyTechnologyMon, 19 Nov 2012 10:39:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/nov/19/roundup-how-to-consult-citizensNarendra Shrestha/EPAPutting the consultation process on to the world wide web is a sticky process. Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/EPANarendra Shrestha/EPAPutting the consultation process on to the world wide web is a sticky process. Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/EPAKathryn Dobinson2012-11-19T10:39:34ZLive discussion: managing public, private and voluntary sector budgetshttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/29/live-discussion-nao-financial-planning
Join us from 12pm to 2pm on Thursday 01 November to share examples of best practice in managing budgets<p>Reducing public expenditure to deal with the financial deficit means innovation - and innovative budgeting - is now more necessary than ever before for public services.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/29/live-discussion-nao-financial-planning">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkFinanceCentral governmentLocal governmentBack officeTransparencyMon, 29 Oct 2012 10:24:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/29/live-discussion-nao-financial-planningGettyThe National Audit Office (NAO) report is a strong critique on managing budgeting in government. Photograph: GettyGettyThe National Audit Office (NAO) report is a strong critique on managing budgeting in government. Photograph: GettyKathryn Dobinson2012-10-29T10:24:27ZRoundup: Open Government Partnershiphttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/23/roundup-open-government-partnership
Our latest <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/15/live-discussion-open-government-partnership" title="">online debate</a> asked how global government can be transparent and accountable<p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/23/roundup-open-government-partnership">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTechnologyTransparencyCentral governmentTechnologyTue, 23 Oct 2012 14:12:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/23/roundup-open-government-partnershipJOHANNES EISELE/AFPAs co-chair of the OGP the UK must drive forward the progress of 57 member governments. Photograph: JOHANNES EISELE/AFPJOHANNES EISELE/AFPAs co-chair of the OGP the UK must drive forward the progress of 57 member governments. Photograph: JOHANNES EISELE/AFPKathryn Dobinson2012-10-23T14:12:14ZLive discussion: Open Government Partnershiphttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/15/live-discussion-open-government-partnership
Join us from <strong>12pm to 2pm</strong> on <strong>Thursday 18 October</strong> to discuss how global government can be transparent and accountable<p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2012/sep/26/open-government-partnership-francis-maude" title="">This year, the UK is co-chairing with Indonesia the Open Government Partnership (OGP)</a>, and the two countries are now responsible for ensuring that its 57 member governments meet their transparency commitments.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/15/live-discussion-open-government-partnership">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyTechnologyCentral governmentTechnologyMon, 15 Oct 2012 13:17:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/oct/15/live-discussion-open-government-partnershipJohannes Eisele/AFP/Getty ImagesThe UK has taken up co-chairmanship of the OGP and must drive forward the progress of 57 member governments. Photograph: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty ImagesJohannes Eisele/AFP/Getty ImagesThe UK has taken up co-chairmanship of the OGP and must drive forward the progress of 57 member governments. Photograph: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty ImagesKathryn Dobinson2012-10-15T13:17:09ZRound up: civil service – getting on or getting out?http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/sep/14/round-up-civil-service-talent
Our latest online debate centred on whether the civil service is failing its talent. Here are our expert panellists' views<p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/sep/14/round-up-civil-service-talent">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyCentral governmentPoliticsCivil serviceFri, 14 Sep 2012 11:10:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/sep/14/round-up-civil-service-talentJoanna Mccarthy/ Joanna McCarthyFormer civil servants do not regret leaving Whitehall but say the road ahead is a bumpy one. Photograph: Joanna Mccarthy/ Joanna McCarthyJoanna Mccarthy/ Joanna McCarthyFormer civil servants do not regret leaving Whitehall but say the road ahead is a bumpy one. Photograph: Joanna Mccarthy/ Joanna McCarthyKathryn Dobinson2012-09-14T11:10:32ZRound up: combating public sector fraudhttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/may/04/combating-public-sector-fraud
In our latest online debate we discussed the best ways of reducing public sector fraud. These are some thoughts from our panel of experts<p><strong>Hotlines and detective data analytics have a role to play in uncovering fraud, but the emphasis needs to be firmly on preventing fraud:</strong> In government this means putting in place more stringent checks at the application stage for benefits, grants and other services. Much opportunistic fraud could be stopped at the gateway if there was effective sharing of intelligence on those who have previously attempted or succeeded in fraudulent attacks against the public purse and sharing information on citizen's entitlements.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/may/04/combating-public-sector-fraud">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyBack officeFinanceFri, 04 May 2012 07:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/may/04/combating-public-sector-fraudSarah Lee/GuardianAccording to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners the most effective fraud control is a hotline. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the GuardianSarah Lee/GuardianAccording to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners the most effective fraud control is a hotline. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the GuardianPublic Leaders Network2012-05-04T07:00:02ZLive discussion: how to combat public sector fraudhttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/may/01/live-discussion-combat-public-sector-fraud
Join our expert panel on Thursday 3 May from 12-2pm as we discuss public fraud and the best ways to reduce it<p>Public sector fraud is still costing &pound;20.3bn a year, and although it is going down, according to the latest figures from the National Fraud Authority, as budgets tighten, we want to examine the best ways to continue to tackle fraud and error.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/nfa/annual-fraud-indicator/" title="">NFA's 2012 report</a>, released in March, shows that public sector fraud has gone down mainly because of a reduction in tax fraud, but there has also been a lot of work across the public sector to reduce payroll and procurement fraud. In local government, there has been a concerted effort to cut fraud relating to council tax discounts, now estimated to be &pound;131m a year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/may/01/live-discussion-combat-public-sector-fraud">Continue reading...</a>Public Leaders NetworkTransparencyBack officeFinanceTue, 01 May 2012 09:00:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2012/may/01/live-discussion-combat-public-sector-fraudGary Calton/Gary CaltonFraud is costing the UK more than £20bn. Photograph: Gary CaltonGary Calton/Gary CaltonProcurement fraud could be costing the UK billions. Photograph: Gary CaltonPublic Leaders Network2012-05-01T09:00:21Z